Ever wondered who helps NFL stars shine behind the scenes? Meet Niki Ikahihifo-Bender, the amazing woman behind Philadelphia Eagles tackle Jordan Mailata’s success.
She’s not just “an Jordan Mailata’s wife” – she’s a super smart lawyer with her own stellar career. Let’s dive into her story!
Quick Bio: Niki Ikahihifo-Bender
| Detail | Information |
| Born | December 1991 |
| Age | 33 (as of 2025) |
| Hometown | Alaska |
| Heritage | Tongan |
| Education | NYU (Bachelor’s), Duke (JD & Master’s) |
| Profession | Intellectual Property Attorney |
| Spouse | Jordan Mailata (m. 2023) |
| Wedding Location | Maui, Hawaii |
| Social Media | Instagram: @nikiboo |
Niki Ikahihifo-Bender Personal Background
Born in December 1991, Niki Ikahihifo-Bender grew up in Alaska with her sister Jade. Her parents, Thomas Bender and Talita Ikahihifo, both work in medicine, setting a strong example of professional success.
Niki proudly embraces her Tongan heritage, which creates a special bond with her husband, who has Samoan descent. Both share Polynesian roots that play a big role in their life together.
While her exact height isn’t public info, pictures show quite the difference between her and Jordan, who stands 6’8″! Talk about a cute contrast that makes their relationship unique.
Niki Ikahihifo-Bender Educational Journey
Niki’s brain power shows in her impressive school history. She started at Mary Baldwin University before moving to New York University where she got her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology.
She went on to Duke University where she pulled off something most people couldn’t – earning two degrees at once. She got her Juris Doctor from Duke Law School while also completing a Master’s degree in Psychology.
This double expertise gives her a unique edge in her legal work. It’s like having special glasses that let her see legal issues from multiple angles.
Niki Ikahihifo Professional Career
During college, Niki gained real-world experience through internships at BP and Lane Powell PC, building skills she’d use throughout her career.
After graduating, she jumped into the big leagues in 2016, working as an Associate at Norton Rose Fulbright in New York. This global law firm gave her exposure to complex legal matters from the start.
Later, she moved to Philadelphia and joined Ballard Spahr LLP as an Intellectual Property Associate. Her specialty? Working with patents, trademarks, and copyrights – protecting the creative and innovative things people make. (LinkedIn)
Niki Ikahihifo-Bender Love Story with Jordan Mailata
You know those movie-worthy meetings that seem like fate? That’s exactly what happened for Niki and Jordan in 2018 at Reading Terminal Market in Philly.
Niki was in town for her dad’s 50th medical school reunion when she bumped into Jordan, who was just drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles. He was having lunch with friends when their worlds collided.
What makes their meeting cooler? Jordan wasn’t some established NFL star yet – he was a rookie still figuring things out. They grew together, supporting each other as their careers took off.
Niki Ikahihifo-Bender Wedding Celebration
After dating for four years, Jordan planned a romantic marriage proposal. He took Niki back to Reading Terminal Market – yes, where they first met!
According to her Instagram post in May 2022, Niki shared the moment Jordan proposed: “Went off the market at the market.” How cute is that?
Their wedding in July 2023 in Maui, Hawaii celebrated both their love and shared Polynesian heritage. Niki looked stunning in her beige Oscar De La Renta gown with ruffles flowing down the train. (essentiallysports)
Supporting Each Other’s Careers
The coolest thing about Niki and Jordan? How they cheer each other on in their completely different careers.
When the Eagles won the Super Bowl, Niki posted: “From being the first draft pick with absolutely no American football experience to the first Australian to start in and win a Super Bowl. Just unreal.”
Per Jordan’s interview with The Philadelphia Inquirer after the 2023 Super Bowl, he confirmed that he negotiated part of his contract while on honeymoon in Italy with Niki.
His new deal? Worth about $38 million a year with a $31.6 million signing bonus. Through it all, he credits Niki for “keeping him in line” since they first met.
Niki Ikahihifo Family Relationships
Niki stays close with her sister Jade, who was valedictorian of her high school class with two years of college credit already done! Talk about a family of smarties!
Jade and Jordan have developed a great relationship too. She even hinted at helping with his proposal, posting afterward: “What can I say except you’re welcome?? And congratulations to my favorite people.”
While Niki and Jordan don’t have children yet as of 2025, they’ve built a strong foundation based on mutual respect and support, focusing on their careers while enjoying married life.
Community Involvement
Beyond her professional life, Niki makes time to give back. In 2023, she served as a board member for the Philadelphia Children’s Alliance (PCA), which helps child victims of sexual abuse.
As reported by the Philadelphia Children’s Alliance 2023 Bear Affair event page, Niki and Jordan donated an auction item titled “An Evening with the Mailatas” to support child advocacy programs.
This commitment shows another dimension of Niki’s character – using her success to make life better for vulnerable kids says a lot about her values.
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Niki Ikahihifo-Bender Travel and Personal Life
When not working, Niki and Jordan explore the world together. Their social media shows adventures in Cambodia, Singapore, and Australia, posing in front of iconic landmarks.
These trips aren’t just vacations – they’re chances to connect with Jordan’s Australian roots and create shared experiences that strengthen their bond.
In a world of celebrity breakups, they seem to prioritize their relationship despite busy schedules, finding balance between high-profile careers and quality time together.
Social Media Presence
Want to follow Niki’s journey? You can find her on Instagram as @nikiboo where she identifies herself as a “Tongan lawyer from Alaska.”
She shares glimpses of her life with Jordan, their travels, and important moments while maintaining a good balance of public and private life.
On LinkedIn, she maintains a professional profile highlighting her education and work experience, smartly keeping her work and personal brand separate.
Context: Jordan Mailata’s Career
To fully appreciate Niki’s role, let’s talk about her husband’s unusual path. Jordan came to the NFL with zero American football experience – he was a rugby player from Australia!
The Philadelphia Eagles took a chance on him, and it paid off big time. He’s now one of their key offensive tackles and made history as the first Australian to win a Super Bowl.
In one memorable moment, Jordan rushed away from post-game interviews saying, “I’m on a time schedule,” so he could celebrate with Niki – showing how they prioritize their time together even in career-defining moments.
Jordan’s Hidden Talent
Here’s something most football fans don’t know – Jordan has serious musical chops! At their wedding reception, he surprised everyone by singing Stevie Wonder’s “Isn’t She Lovely” to Niki.
This wasn’t just a cute gesture – the man can really sing! He even appeared on The Masked Singer as “Thingamabob” in 2022, making it to week 3 before being eliminated.
As Jordan once said, “I was a singer first before any sort of athlete.” This shared love of music might be another thing that bonds him and Niki beyond the obvious.
Interesting Facts About Niki:
- Speaks publicly about embracing her Tongan heritage
- Celebrated with Polynesian fire dancers at her wedding
- Holds two advanced degrees simultaneously earned
- Travels internationally with Jordan during off-seasons
- Serves on the board of a children’s advocacy organization
Conclusion
Niki Ikahihifo-Bender shows us what it means to have it all without sacrificing who you are. She maintains her own identity and career while supporting her husband’s very public one.
Her story reminds us that behind many successful people stands an equally accomplished partner. The difference? Niki doesn’t stand in Jordan’s shadow – they shine side by side.
They represent a modern partnership where both careers matter and cultural heritage remains important. That’s a winning formula both on and off the field!
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FAQ’s about Niki Ikahihifo-Bender
What does Niki Ikahihifo-Bender do for work?
She’s an intellectual property attorney who specializes in patents, trademarks, and copyrights.
Where did Niki and Jordan Mailata meet?
They met at Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia in 2018 when she was visiting for her dad’s medical school reunion.
What is Niki’s ethnic background?
She is Tongan, sharing Polynesian heritage with her husband, who is of Samoan descent.
Where did Niki go to college?
She attended Mary Baldwin University, New York University, and Duke University where she earned both law and psychology degrees.
Does Niki have any siblings?
Yes, she has a sister named Jade who was valedictorian of her high school class.
Is Niki active in any charitable organizations?
Yes, she served as a board member for the Philadelphia Children’s Alliance which helps child victims of sexual abuse.
What year did Niki and Jordan get married?
They got married in July 2023 in Maui, Hawaii.
Editor’s Note:
We gathered the info in this article from public sources like Niki’s LinkedIn, Instagram, law firm pages, and news about the Eagles and the Philadelphia Children’s Alliance. We double-checked everything to make sure it’s accurate as of May 2025.
If you notice any mistakes or want to suggest a change, please reach out to us.
My name is Luna, the editor and publisher of SportsWane.com. With 9 years of experience writing and editing for many blog sites, I loves to sharing fun and interesting sports stories. I works hard to bring clear, honest, and exciting sports news that fans enjoy reading. When not writing, I enjoys watching games and learning new facts about players and teams. SportsWane is all about simple, true, and cool sports content for everyone to enjoy.
